Justice Saleem Marsoof, Chairman of the cabinet committee appointed by the then Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda in 2009 to recommend amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of No 1951, handed over the report of the Committee to Thalata Athukorale, Monday morning in the wake of a silent protest by Muslim women’s groups outside the Justice Ministry demanding the release of the report.
Justice Saleem Marsoof
Colombo Telegraph learns that the Committee consisting of 18 members including its Chairman and Secretary, had managed to reach consensus with regard to most the issues except three key matters: the appointment of women Quazis, permitting lawyers to appear in Quazi Courts and removal of reference to sect in section 16 and 98 (2) of the Act. Colombo Telegraph learns that in terms of division there is a 9-9 split, with Ash-Sheikh M.I.M Rizwe Mufti, Ash-Sheikh M.M.A. Mubarak, Faiz Musthaha PC, Justice A.W.A Salam, Justice Mohammed Mackie, Shibly Aziz PC, Dr. M.A.M Shukri, Nadvi Bahaudeen and Fazlet Shahabeen submitting together a very brief document with their views on these matters.
The Committee unanimously recommend that the registration of marriage be made mandatory and failure to do so to be made a punishable offense. There was also agreement on issues such as the following: the appointment of women as Registrars of Marriage, the imposition of a minimum age for marriage, enabling of gender equality by reconstituting the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Advisory Board, making provisions for pre-marital counselling, the recording in the Register of Marriages the terms of the marriage contracts entered into by the parties at the time of the wedding (nikah) and including provisions for the bride to sign the Register of Marriage.
Other recommendations where there was unanimous agreement include the upgrading of Quazi Courts and reedfining their jurisdiction and powers by appointing Quazis as full time judicial officers. This would vest the Quazis with the power to implement their orders for the recovery of maintenance without having recourse to any other court as provided in the current Act. They also agreed unanimously to recommend that it be made mandatory for a man seeking to enter into a second marriage to obtain the approval of a Quazi although there is division between the two groups with regard to the criteria to be considered by the court in granting approval.
Colombo Telegraph learns that despite consensus in setting a minimum age for marriage, while one group including the Chairman want to set it at 18 for both males and females, while allowing for the Quazi Court to authorize marriages of a male or female above 16 in the best interest of the particular person where a case can be made that relevant circumstances are exceptional. Another group led by Ash-Sheikh M.I.M. Rizwe Mufti on the other hand has recommended that males be above 18 and females above 16with power to the Quazi to authorize a marriage of any girl below the age of 16 in the interest of such girl.
According to sources, Ash-Sheikh Rizwe Mufti has opposed to women being appointed as Quazis because in his view women are unfit to hold judicial office.
The Media Spokesperson to the Ministry informs that the report will be released to the public only after cabinet and Parliamentary deliberation. Right to Information applications have been made by interested parties to the Justice Ministry in the hope of obtaining copies of the report.
K.Pillai / January 24, 2018
MMDA1951 was a political concession. It has reached use-by date.
MMDA must be rescinded in its entirety. The same law regarding marriage, divorce etc. must apply to all. The legal recognition of Quazi Court must be withdrawn.
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
Really? When developed democracies like the UK move towards more and more Sharia Courts and Sharia Law, Sorry Lanka moves backwards! Before Muslim Law is tampered with, end the outdated Vesawalami Law.
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Words / January 26, 2018
And somewhere in Saudi yesterday.. they used BOTOX to make camels prettier!
Yeah..that says a lot about the intelligence and moral compass in that part of the world!..
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K.Pillai / January 26, 2018
Words
Mr Camel comes home, find Mrs Camel prettier. He shouts “Who accompanied you to the BOTOX Clinic?”
He then says “Talaq, Talag, Talag”.
Sorry end of story.
Mmmm………..A poor Mama-camel brings a girl-child camel. That is another story!
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Mohomad / January 31, 2018
What are you pointing out here? Pillai is child so it is a childish comments or a jealous, hatred comment?
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Real Revolutionist / January 27, 2018
Fathima
Sorry, it’s Thesawalami not vesawalami
Are Fathimas that bad
If the UK is towards Sharia it’s their stupidity
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Sarrij / January 28, 2018
F.
“Sharia Courts” in the UK is a very different “ball game.”
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Wijayantha / January 28, 2018
Hi Fathima, with all due respect, the word should be Thesawalami Law and not Vesawalami Law,
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Amarasiri / January 24, 2018
Dear Justice Saleem Marsoof,
Thank you and congratulations in making progress, from the current MMDA, which is a travesty of justice for the Sri Lankan Muslim women despite opposition by Rizvie Mufti and cohorts, who claimed that MMDA was perfect, will of course try to preserve their tribal habits, under the guise of Islam, and wanted to treat women as chattel, owned by men.
You still have an uphill battle, against the 7th century tribals. Throw at them the writings of Ibn Rusd, aka Averroes, from Cordoba in the 12th Century to clear their cloudy tribal non-reasoning heads.
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Niro / January 25, 2018
One small step for Muslims and a giant step for the nation. This community must be encouraged to live in the 21 St century detached from it’s camel Jockey origins .
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
Niro,
You mean that you want only the Muslim community to live in the 21st century in SL?
Or, should I feel pity for you to have been taken for a rid to convince rest of the communities in SL live in the 21st century?
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
They have a thing called caste an ancient 1000BC practice still in their communities. Marriage proposals must state caste – Vellalar, Kovigama, etc. Otherwise violence. Who needs most to get into the 21st century? Not Muslims.
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
Leave Muslim matters to Muslims. As if Hindustan treats women well!
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Ad / January 27, 2018
Matters are not dealt in terms of existing law, not by what the Faith dictates. Faith can dictate after death.
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exmuslim / February 2, 2018
Every country should have one law for any particular matter (in this case, marriage) and not different laws for different groups. You don’t find Christian courts in Saudi Arabia do you? Such a shame that a woman chooses to be oppressed simply because she is blinded by religion, smh
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Jim softy / January 24, 2018
Women’s action network. So many women activists, those women who wanted to buy alcohol as a fundamental right are silent about this women suffering. How many of those have neglected their most important function that men cannot do. that is bringing up a good generation of children.
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Roshan / January 25, 2018
correctly stated… man responsibility is forgotten at teh expense of leibert and freedom. Women are to be respected and not to be shown as advertisment object. Creator has ordained few assignemnets to men alone and few for women. Rizvi Mifthi’s stand is correct.
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Amarasiri / January 26, 2018
Roahan,
Rizvi Mifthi says MMDA is perfect. All the Muslim idiots who follow Rizvi say Amen, Amieeen. Just read up on the writings of Ibn Rushd, aka Averroes, the 12th Century Cordoba Jurist, Scholar and Philosopher. Remember that the average IQ of Sri Lankans is 79.
Averroës, medieval Latin Averrhoës, also called Ibn Rushd, Arabic in full Abū al-Walīd Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Rushd, (born 1126, Córdoba [Spain]—died 1198, Marrakech, Almohad empire [now in Morocco]), influential Islamic religious philosopher who integrated Islamic traditions with ancient Greek thought.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Averroes
He wrote the Decisive Treatise on the Agreement Between Religious Law and Philosophy (Faṣl al-Maḳāl), Examination of the Methods of Proof Concerning the Doctrines of Religion (Kashf al-Manāhij), and The Incoherence of the Incoherence (Tahāfut al-Tahāfut), all in defense of the philosophical study of religion against the theologians (1179–80).
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Ralli Ameen / February 1, 2018
As usual the web mania Amarasiri writing about IQ and Muslim Philosophers and Scientist. Why don’t you write here at least one of those person wrote about Muslim marriage and law.
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Rishard / January 25, 2018
Just confused where to start laughing…
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Lankan No 03 / January 25, 2018
I have some doubt about the validity and credibility of this report …
Why on earth there are no solid Islamic jurist consultants on this panel. There are good and sharp experts on Islamic studies and Islamic law …
What on earth this sheikh Mufthi to do with Islamic legal theories..مصلحة المرسلة؛ والاستحسان واااستصحاب…وسد الذرائع….
And all other legal devices that have been discussed by imam al shafi; juwaini; al-Ghazali and many others ..
I’m sorry to say what do this justice and his cohorts know about Islamic legal theories to come up with some half baked reforms..
At least none Islamic specialists will do some good than Islamic scholars…so called ones ..
Anyway good luck for all this hard work.
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One Shot / January 25, 2018
Perhaps you should reserve your comments for after the report is made public.
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Sarrij / January 25, 2018
L no3.
Spot on.
There are no “solid Islamic jurist consultants on this panel” because non exists in SL; the panel mostly consisted of political hacks. The two “Muftis” are relics of the past and brainwashed by pre-Islamic tribal culture and politicians of the same elk.
It has taken almost nine years for these recommendations and they are ONLY recommendations . Hopefully the new Female Justice Minister and the Cabinet can and will make changes to the MMDA to make the SL Muslim Females no different to all SL women. We live in the 21st century. Even Saudi Arabia is on the verge of changing some of her archaic practices and way of life.
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Concerned / January 25, 2018
Well said ! Who the hell is Rizvie Mufthi ? Can anyone expect anything better from Faiser Musthafa’s father ? When the Son is a scum and a disgrace to the community, how can you expect the Father to do what is right for the community at large !!
It is time to ignore these laws and follow the law of the land. That’s what the holy prophet preached !
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Fathima / January 25, 2018
Did you all notice the BEST joke? This man, Mufthi Rizvi is giving freedom to children under 16 to marry as long as they wish. Greedy fellow, still keeps a hole for him like guys’ advantage in the fake reform also
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Sarrij / January 25, 2018
F.
“with his permission.”
After all he is Mufthi i.e KING of SL Muslims.
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
Thangachchi, of course you don’t need marriage for that in your community. In Muslim community, people still follow good sexual practices. They marry and engage in sex. I don’t expect you to understand. Please don’t use Muslim names unless your father was a Muslim.
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
Dhatha, engada vaapa kuda kela vettina Muslim than…he..he..
Muslims engage in all sorts of legal and illegal sexual activities. You can’t say that Muslim girls never have sex before marriage – only reason why it is less in comparison is Muslim girls don’t go out much after certain age. And for the same reason, they become dumbs also.
If you go deeper into Muslims, you will find how many married women are having illegal affairs while still in black-abaya. Muslims do one thing right when doing it illegally is use a cover. When doing it legally, never use a cover..he.h.he
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Mohomad / January 31, 2018
How Muslim women having illegal affair, including you if you are a Muslim woman (I doubt)?
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Karen / January 26, 2018
You are looking at the muslim community through rose tinted glasses. If course some of it’s members have sex out of marriage, both before and after. Same as other communities. The real issue is that youngsters below 18 should not be allowed to marry, definitely not below 16. There’s no rush now when an average life expentency is 70. If a middle aged man wants to have sex with a girl less than 16 that’s akin to paedophilia. We don’t live separated by vast tracks of land where people don’t have access to the legal system. The law of the land must come first and apply to everyone, it’s especially important in multi cultural societies.
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Mohomad / February 1, 2018
Sri Lanka did not have their own law of the land. They are just following their western colonial masters’ law.
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Chitra / January 25, 2018
A mixed bag. I applaud those in the panel who have made things better for the Muslim women, although the age limit for marriage should be the same for all Sri Lankans, 18 years and above. I am still not clear about the laws for divorce though. Are Muslim men obliged to give alimony, and support, for their children? Are female children entitled to some inheritance, like the male children? Are the fate of these women at the hands of Quazi’s? Unfortunately, there can be no assurance that these Quazi’s, will do the right thing for the women, and could be easily “persuaded” to take the man’s side, and deprive the women of support. Perhaps those who have the decision in their hands, should do the simplest thing and grant the Muslim women the same rights as their fellow Sri Lankans. Nothing more, nothing less.
If the Mufti cannot move with the times, and grant the women in his religion the same rights as others in this multi cultural nation, then someone with good sense should.
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Fathima / January 25, 2018
To say the quality of these Qazis, most of the Qazis wives and relatives know who is divorcing, who is having what issues and when they are being called for interrogations.
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Mohomad / January 31, 2018
Chitra, whoever you are you do not know anything about Islamic Laws. All the children are entitled to inheritance whether boy or girl, even wife too entitled to inheritance. The law entitling women to inheritance (copied from Islam) was brought only 2-3 hundred years back by your colonial masters. Muslim women are enjoying better life and protection than your women.
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shankar / January 25, 2018
everyone must follow the same law in the country if they want to be considered the same as everyone else.If they want to be special and follow the laws of moneybags saudi arabia then they should go to saudi arabia.The oil rich kingdom can easily give citizenship to those in other countries who want to practise islamic law but are unable to because the governments of those countries are not permitting them to.The saudis cannot have the cake and eat it too.They must give citizenship to those people who are loyal to them and their laws.Overflowing with oil they can easily give them a good life which is Allah’s way of rewarding those who who were steadfastedly loyal to Allah,who has already rewarded muslims by giving them more than 80% of the oil on this planet Allah has created.If the saudis don’t look after their fellow muslims who are persecuted then the wrath of Allah will fall upon them and they will lose all their oil to foreigners or the prices will plummet to levels that will benefit the rest of the planet and not the
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
Hey, when are you, idiots, going to realize what you talk is not logical or practical but just gallery talks?
Just because you having 3 white lines on your forehead with a big red dot in the center, and hanging 3 lemons and dried red chilies on your vehicle front bumper, can I ask you to go to Tamil Nadu?
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shankar / January 26, 2018
mohamed
good point but we are talking of the law here.What i put on my forehead or my car has no legal consequences,but if you try to marry 5 women,and also marry another two who are 10 years and 12 years ,then i get charged for bigamy and peodophilia whilst you don’t.can you now understand the difference in the islamic law and sri lankan.
So if you want to be a srilankan follow one law of srilanka or go to saudi and follow theirs.The saudis will want muslims to follow their laws and live in other countries thereby spreading their islamic laws far and wide.Allah has given them oil,much more than what is needed for 28 million people so that is why i said they should give you citizenship and reward you for obeying saudi laws.However you can’t stay here because we are not willing to give our land to Allah because Allah did not give us a single drop of oil and gave everythng to the saudis and muslim countries.
one law for everyone in srilanka.Even thesavalamai should be scrapped.
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Mohamed / January 30, 2018
Shankar, Muslims marrying more than 1 or a girl below 18 years is permitted in SL through MMDA, and that is why we seek a reform for it. So to say that Muslims are following Saudi law is childish until MMDA is effective in SL.
Do you think marrying more than 1 wife and few underaged girls (yet allowed in SL law as of now) given in marriage is as evil as bombing in public buses, train stations, mosques, temples? Or, employing children forcefully into terror groups? Or, amputating people arms for casting votes? Or, employing women as suicide women?
And, at that moment, did at least 1 of you said Prabakaran and his LTTE to go to Toilet Nadu or any jungle which is suitable for them? You all were earning in EU and sending money back to Prabakaran to further kill and destroy the innocent.
From where did you get that sudden feel for humanity and for your mother land??
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shankar / January 31, 2018
mohamed
prabhaharan was a terrorist just like your bin Laden and both are now thankfully no more and many moderate tamils and muslims will be breathing a sigh of relief while many extremists will be sad.In any community their will be moderates in the middle,extremists in the far right and pacifists in the far left.Among the sinhalese also same as among srilankan tamils and muslims.I am in the middle and follow Lord Bhuddha’s middle path in everything i do.I don’t know where you stand,whether moderate,extremist or pacifist.
As for your accusations that no tamils stood upto prabhaharan just see the amount of tamils he has killed. The educated and moderate tamils who have died at the hands of prabhaharan are much more than by the hands of the armed forces.Now we don;t have any leaders.how i wish neelan Thirucehelvam who married one of your muslims had been a bit careful and survived that dark period.Don’t accuse tamils of cowardice when you muslims are hardly making a beep of a sound when your extremists are running around like a bull in a china shop all over the world.They are trying to take on the whole world at the same time and are going to find out like prabhaharan did not to overestimate oneself.
If you follow the saudi wahabism then you srilankan muslims will be dragged from moderates towards the right to extremism.If you follow sufi islam then you will go from moderates towards the left to pacifism.To be moderates for your own good just be like any other decent srilankan and follow our laws.
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Ralli Ameen / February 1, 2018
Shankar
Do not compare Taliban with Bin Laden. Bin Laden fought to get rid of Western (invaders) dominance in Middle-east and Afghanistan fought. Prabahakaran fought to break the unitary state of Sri Lanka to grab more than 1/3 rd of country to just 8% percent of Tamils, killed and chased his own countryman from his terrorist areas. What extremists are doing in other countries have nothing to do with Sri Lankan Muslims. In injustice is done they may give their voice but nothing more. The name Wahabism was given by the westerners just like communism, socialism ets but unlike others Wahab did not preach a new dogma. He simply corrected the polluted Islam and encouraged to practice pure Islam as revealed by Quran or shown by practice of Prophet Muhammed. The seal Wahabism is chopped on anybody following pure Islam. You just don’t follow the westerners but study who was Wahab and come to your own conclusion.
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shankar / February 2, 2018
ralli
you say wahab corrected polluted islam.So does the unpolluted wahabi islam say that you should smash the sufis and shiites and break their heads.
Your unpolluted islam is like the old testament which said the same thing to destroy others.The christians were smart.They ditched it and brought out the new testament which preached all love and kindness and even giving the other cheek for a slap.
sufis were treated shockingly in the east.They were hammered and killed by the wahabis and their leader was not even allowed to be buried in a muslim cemetary.See what the unpolluted islam wahabis are doing bombing all the other so called polluted islam followers all over the muslim world and doing ethnic cleansing too.
Don’t you think it is a democratic right for people to practise any brand of islam that they choose to do so?Must you kill them for it?Did Allah say so?
remember if not for the sufis you would not have the worlds largest muslim nation indonesia in your fold.it was hindu i believe.Bali is still hindu.Do you think that if the tolerant sufism is got rid of by the wahabis terrorising indonesia will they allow bali to continue to be hindu.
It is a fundamental right of people to practise any religion or branch of it.You can convert by convincing not by threat and intimidation and terrorism.
I you continue with your unpolluted islam then go over the cliff one day.
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Jim Softy / January 25, 2018
We do not need to amend the Act, we just need to send them back to Saudi. Why waste our time dealing with the global terrorists.
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
Wow, quality life, better food, better health, low pollution, better income, better govt perks, good roads, law & order, good rulers & no politicians, good maids, good vehicles, better recognition…all positives, so WHY NOT?
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
so hurry up
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Eagle Eye / January 25, 2018
The Government should come out with a policy to provide free education and health services only to two children and charge the full cost for the others. If Muslims want to keep on breeding like rabbits let them pay.
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
Eagle eye
That’s not the way Eagle,
Make it that population growth must be in par with development.
Authorities must decide the number of children to be given birth in the coming 5 or 10 years according to development forecasts.
Share that number of children equally among mothers to be; example 2 kids for a woman is maximum & after delivering 2nd make it mandatory to undergo a surgery to stop child bearing.
It must be women who decide matters related to childbearing not men.
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
A revolutionist can’t be that dumb. Reread it. Does your own comment make sense to you?
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
Mohamad
Somewhat reasonable
I mean there’re things to be decided @ national level; women have to consider national requirements & in that sense men have a democratic right to express their views.
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Sarrij / January 26, 2018
E E
This govt does provide “FREEBEES” to the PM’s friends and their relatives and the country is broke. Soon all children will have to pay to get a decent education or PER YOUR LOGIC all marriages should be banned and only “gay’ MARRIAGES SHOULD BE PERMITTED.
HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A SOLUTION?
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
Agreed, if the government will tax also likewise. Don’t you know, as it is, more than half the Muslims don’t go behind government freebies? But all Muslims pay taxes, that in turn helps SL to pay wages and perks for largely idiotic and lethargic employees of world’s biggest state sector, here in SL.
So, it is like, they memorize books from childhood to teenhood, get degrees of no-use-to-the-world, no private firms hire them because the brains are full of theory, but nothing and they end up protesting at railway stations or other public places causing inconvenience to the rest, finally, the Govt offers them jobs, then spends on other facilities etc..etc..
And then, largely these useless people spend rest of their life until they can no more climb a crowded public bus or train and get a retirement that will follow their pension. But don’t forget, during this 30 or 40 years of their service, whether they were useful or useless, they would have definitely pulled in many more similar ones to the Govt Sector
So who should be worried about how the Govt spends its money brother? We need you to come up with a solution to suggest the Govt to reduce this useless sector.
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
above my reply for Eagle eye.
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Shenal / January 26, 2018
Mohamed,
So you think that more than half the muslims don’t go to government controlled schools or government run hospitals? Do you think half of the Muslims in this country live in Colombo?
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Amarasiri / January 26, 2018
Mohamed,
You are on to something here. Big Govt. is stealing from the people, and redistributing wealth in unproductive sectors, after the politicians take theit cut.
See
Businessman attempts to reason with democratic socialists. 3.1 million views
Q. Who produces and who disposes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AIew3RN4R4
An IQ problem? Average IQ of USA 99 and that of Sri Lanka 79.
One of the best ways to make money is to listen to people who have money. The vast majority of the people in this video are not listening to this man they are just arguing and talking over him.
My god these people are sooooooo stupid, they are complete morons!! They cannot understand the simplest things, and the black guy in the red track-top and the guy in the green cap are just straight up crazy.
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Mohamed / January 30, 2018
Unproductive sector for the nation. But they are very productive voter banks for politicians and political parties
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2018
As usual this is fraud. The Justice is is/was not a Justice from Lankawe court. He is proving bare minimum recommendation. That guy is playing game that he would not get accused to provide anti- democratic recommendation, but at the same time he he is hoping 50% of what he recommended will dropped in parliament if ever become an Act. In the implementation phase the remaining 50% will vanish. Then Muslim crocodiles can commit crime against women and children and pay to Sinhala EP, Sinhala PM, Sinhala Speaker, Singala, IGP, Singala AG, Sinhala Jury ……..and get out of any crimes. At the same Time Justice Saleem will be celebrated by EU as one saved their back, and by the Muslim Jihadist as the one saved their Sharia.
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
Some more to be done, polygamy too must be banned
It’s polygamy that create environment for underage marriage.
In our country, the men-women ratio is approximately 50%-50%; a man has a woman but when some marry 4?
That compels some people to go for children. The worst may be that attempt to grab women from other communities in tactful/cunning way.
Let’s look at the issue in different perspective.
Government has a duty to assure equality to all; why should only Muslim men be allowed to marry more than one.
This right must be given to all; both men & women irrespective of racial/religious identity.
If Authorities fail to abolish this inhuman MMDA, all the Muslim women & other communities, both men & women must demand a right for polygamy, that will compel govt. to abolish MMDA.
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isharath / January 26, 2018
RR,
If your wallet and the wand support, why not? Go for more than 10, I don’t care. But please, don’t be a cry-baby in public.
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
Isharath
It’s not being crybaby, it’s way of social justice.
Aren’t there wallet filled ladies in your community to have many hubbies (in legal way like your men do)?
Or is it men who manage women’s wallet?
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isharath / January 30, 2018
If it can be found who the father of a child is, I don’t care that too….
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Sarrij / January 28, 2018
R R
Better still, why not have BROTHELS paid for by the government instead of banning polygamy; a perfect solution. Go for it.
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Real Revolutionist / January 29, 2018
sarrij
Oh boy, what an unpleasant word.
But it gives good idea
Let women have a sort of brothel where they can —- people like you.
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Maghribi / January 25, 2018
Freedom of worship is enshrined in the Sri Lankan constitution which, entitles Muslims to pursue their religious rites and practices. that is; if true Democracy is applied. Imposing each others belief is a serious impediment to peace and prosperity.
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
Maghris
Are you crazy man?
Law of the country must be more powerful than any religion, unless inhuman doctrines coming in religious guise can’t be defeated.
Example are visible even now, the discrimination upon women in the name of religion.
Religions should not be taken as sources of law. Human brain is more powerful than any god.
Those who want to make religion more powerful can go back to the place where they came from without giving us trouble.
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
LOL!
As if Sorry Lanka has a law!
This type of articles are a hindrance to reconciliation.
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Mo / January 26, 2018
Real Revolutionist,
Not every country’s law is powerful. And not every human-brain is powerful either. Good samples are Sri Lanka and your brain. It is ugly but true; average Sri Lankans are not smart compared to most of the other countries. Ultimately, a country’s law is largely made by its people. How can you say Sri Lanka’s law is powerful then? Check where SL stands in IQ among other countries, somewhere near Ethiopia. Even Saudi Arabia is much above SL.
What is wrong is what Maghris said, unless you want to prove your average IQ here? He said, if SL constitution gives the right to practice one’s religion, it should not be opposed.
Because of your dirty racist in you, you got it wrong and started to think religion is above the law. For me, I think fanatics, racist and even idiots disguising as revolutionist should also leave from here without giving rest of the people headaches. Got someone to take you back?
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
MO
Calculation of IQ is always controversial, however let people know the source.
I accept the fact that SL constitution gives the right to have faith in any religion & I’m not against it & strongly believe in freedom of thought.
The problem in our society as I see is strong devotion for one’s religion may weaken his/her logical thinking
I don’t think that my comment strongly go against Maghris’s but as far as it’s visible that women enjoy less freedom in Muslim community I made that comment.
I did it with zero hatred & I’d like to say that I love & respect all the people alike
It’s not mine it’s your racist is working, reread my comment to see whether there’s racism in it.
I still believe that any religion must be scrutinized by human intellectuals unless there’s a possibility for some to suffer.
Please withdraw the bad words you used to explain me unless others might use them to explain you. ( I don’t like to see that happen)
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
Freedom of worship of devilish religions or devilish part of religions is a disgrace to humanity. Such people must be rehabilitated.
Discriminative parts such as women are below men, must be removed.
Sad to mention that MMDA is discriminative & must be abolished at any expense.
Because of that Islam religion must be scrutinized & put into practice.
Those who’re not ready to accept it must be asked to leave the country.
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Mohamed / January 26, 2018
Hey cardboard revolutionist, I agree with you, but how can you make your voice heard? Do you have the grit to come forward and say it loud without targeting any specific religion?
You’re just a wimp to attack one specific religion, smaller in representation in SL on an issue that is common among all other religions – Why not call yourself “Real Wimp” instead?
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
Mohamad
Relax Mohamad
For you I’m a cardboard revolutionist but please see there’re 2 likes; that utters something positive in what I mentioned.
Don’t be so worried about using the word revolutionist, you also have a right to use it with an adjective.
Making a drastic change seems to be important but without hurting anybody; unfortunately you’re hurt without a reason.
Yes I accept that I targeted your religion but it’s not with hatred it’s because I love & respect people including Muslims
Dear friend, freedom of thought must be secured in our land, even to criticize Buddhism, Hindu, Christianity, Islam Judaism etc. but should not be hatred driven.
If it’s sinful it’s upon me, not upon you. So please don.t be angry with me, as i’m inspired by Buddha’s words. Pls let me have faith in Buddhism
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Amarasiri / January 25, 2018
Maghribi,
After evolution from primates Home Sapiens invented God, and some of those God revealed rules should be modified with the environment and times by humans.
Remember, you do have 46 chromosomes, and your chromosome # 2 was formed by the fusion of two primate chromosomes.
Ken Miller on Human Evolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi8FfMBYCkk
Dr. Ken Miller talks about the relationship between Homo sapiens and the other primates. He discusses a recent finding of the Human Genome Project which identifies the exact point of fusion of two primate chromosomes that resulted in human chromosome #2.
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2018
Practicing a religion is a freedom guaranteed under fundamental human rights. It is fraudulent, selfish act by profit making religious leaders to attempt to brainwash a sector of people that the religious laws are exchanged for fundamental human right with the name of practicing free religion. With any kind of freedom, the fundamental human rights cannot be overwritten.
This is very important for Tamils. They should fight for the Muslim women’s freedom. in parallel to their freedom fight against the Muslim Sinhala autocratic government. MMDA was bought in only to divide and rule Tamils and Muslims. Richard, Hakeem fight for the right to log Wilpattu to share the proceeds with Yahapalanaya. But where ever the basic human right is violated, that has to be brought to light. Failure to understand this will doom Tamils their endeavour.
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Nicole Phillips / January 25, 2018
Having different laws for different people is madness…. One law for all.. no questions asked. that way the rights of all parties, the men, the women and the children are safeguarded…
wanting to allow a girl below 16 to marry if she so wishes is a feeble attempt to legalise pedophillia
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A.M.Jazeel / January 25, 2018
Dear Committee Members,
I do not like Rizwi Mufthi personally and his way of leading the so-called Jam’athul Ulama organisation which is one of the business and corrupt organisations. However, his stand in this issue is welcome. Who has the right to change the law created by Al mighty Allah ? In my point of view, the the idea of minimum age limit is useless and the approval of second marriage is also pointless. We can not change the law for the want of some NGO or INGO girls ? Now in practice, the issue of under age marriage is not arising. Most of the girls are studying and their marriage is higher than the usual age. This is fact. As a researcher, I found some many pitfalls in the so called researches done in this regard. They were beyond true
Dr. A.M.Jazeel
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
A.M Jazeel
Where’s almighty Allah, have you ever seen?
If Allah is a god or heavenly being, he might have a right to make law for gods or heaven, not for human world.
So Allah has done wrong thing & if captured must be charged for making inhumane/unnecessary law for selected stupid people in human world.
Law is by the people for the people, not by the god(Allah) to people.
Wonder whether you are born stupid or Allah made stupid.
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Shenal / January 26, 2018
A.M Jazeel,
We believe in human reasoning but not in some imaginary god who was created by some desert dwellers back 2000s years ago. If you do not like to live in a country who makes their laws according to rationality you are welcome to leave this country for your desert paradise called Arabia.
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justice / January 25, 2018
There is dispute about ages of women whom Prophet Mohammed married.
Should not these views be taken into consideration?
Aisha whom he married was six years old, it is stated.
In general, the status of women in most Muslim societies/countries is lower, socially ,educationally, culturally & professionally.
Muslim men, in general, do not like giving women, equal status.
They are denied medical examination & treatment by male doctors.
Female untrained attendants deliver babies.
Perinatal, neonatal and infant mortalities are high in Muslim families.
Immunisation against illnesses is generally neglected.
Muslim women rarely attend family planning clinics.
Female education is neglected, as early marriage is the rule, and co-education is not allowed or encouraged.
Thus a lot of talent is wasted.
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Diogenes / January 25, 2018
Is there a law on circumcision? Increase the length of the cut at least by four inches!
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Real Revolutionist / January 25, 2018
If circumcision has advantages why don’t doctors prescribe it to all?
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Al-faqurlah / January 26, 2018
There is no advantage in circumcision. It is a barbaric practice by Jews, Muslims and some African tribes.
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isharath / January 26, 2018
Al-faquirah, why not try it? Later we can use some S-lon gum if you don’t like it.
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Al-faqurlah / January 27, 2018
Isharath, why not circumcise your neck, which will solve all your problem.
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isharath / January 27, 2018
AL-fuckoo, which has solved my problems.. so I advice you too
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Mohomad / January 31, 2018
Al-Idiot, circumcision was practiced from medieval time, later by Jews, Muslims and Orthodox Christians and America and other western countries most non-Muslims practice this. Royal families and the elites in England practice this, Prince Charles, Andrew and Edward too circumcised. Circumcision not only keep the penis clean but also prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), Human Papilomavirus infections (HPV), penis cancer, infecting women with bacterial vaginosis. So do you think all those non-Muslim people are following barbaric practice and all you people with polkudu penis following the civilized practice?
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Isharath / January 26, 2018
RR, why not try that and see if you still get jealous of Muslim men marrying more than one? Even doctor don’t prescribe washing it, you wash it as you’re done?
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
Isharath
Yes I’m bit jealous but women also should be given that right to have 4 hubbies, justice, equality for all.
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isharath / January 26, 2018
RR, unfortunately, you got to blame the nature in this case. If women were given the freedom to marry, children will have no initials, or DNA labs will be full of queues.
There is nothing called equal in this world. Just take anything that is created naturally, do you see any equality in them? Human-being is not creative enough to come up with unique designs on each item they produce. But everyone deserves dignity.
You have been misguided, blind and programmed by the US/West to think in this way. There is something that is way above what your programmed brains can think of, and your inability to grasp that does not mean it does not exist. Your ability is limited by what science explains, but remember there are millions of such things science still does not have an explanation. Albert Einstein himself is not an atheist, but he just did not believe in any religion.
Back to the subject, dignify women, don’t go behind equality stuff as even the ones created this equality drama know it is bullshit, it is just to satisfy and keep US/EU women shut their mouths. We’re living in a world we can’t compare an apple to apple; why try an apple with an orange?
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Real Revolutionist / January 27, 2018
Isharath
What’s that bullshit?
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Mohomad / February 1, 2018
Who said Muslim women cannot have four hubbies, they can have even more but they must divorce the first hubby and go for 2nd, 3rd ……… Otherwise there will be a big father issue.
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Real Revolutionist / January 27, 2018
Isharath
Why not? doctors prescribe washing. Why don’t you feel that god had wanted uncircumcised people so he created in that way & you go against god to circumcise it.
2nd point, why don’t you understand that god created women without fur, to be seen nicely by others but you go against god or Allah & mask her from top to bottom.
Isharath, I’m sure he’ll (Allah) make you furred apes after death as a punishment.
Don’t you know that women who volunteer to get masked from top to bottom also get that penalty to be furred apes.
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justice / January 26, 2018
RR,
During circumcision, all the foreskin (prepuce) is not removed.
If so, erection would be impossible.
Just a 1/4 to 1/2 inch is removed so that the foreskin can effortlessly move back during copulation, and, to enable cleansing during bathing.
It is actually a hygienic procedure done by many, other than Moslems.
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Real Revolutionist / January 29, 2018
But the problem is why didn’t god do it without giving trouble to people.
Forgotten or mistake?
In the same way god seems to have forgotten to create women with fur; that’s why Muslim people mask them.
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Mohomad / February 1, 2018
RR God did not create Human Beings with all what we do or enjoying. Unlike the animals God gave Human Beings advanced highest, intellectual brain to do and achieve the right things otherwise we will swinging on branches like apes. According to you we should not cut our hair or finger nails because God created us with that. What shit you are writing?
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dayal / January 25, 2018
let the muslim intellectuals-both spiritual and lay- decide their own destiny. others-non-muslims need not intervene in their beliefs. others have no right to intervene even if their practices/ beliefs are different. asking them to go to arabia is racist and malicious. simply because they are minorities others cannot dictate.
-DAYAL
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Real Revolutionist / January 26, 2018
Dayal
Don’t misinterpret reasonable comments, there’s a criticism over the way women are treated in Muslim community, commenting on it isn’t dictating. it’s friendly & humane way of interacting.
People comment on it not because they are a minority, because there’s something wrong as we feel in their culture inspired by their religion.
It’s not intervening in their beliefs, it’s intervening in their action that non Muslims see as discriminating & unpleasant.
We love & respect Muslim people, we should not forget that we’ve been living together for hundreds of years but very sad to mention that some Muslim people are so blind that are not ready to look at criticism in logical way.
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Jim softy / January 25, 2018
This shows that Sri lanka is a muslims’ and a christians’ country and buddhists are sidelined. Women want buying alcohol to be a fundamental right. Muslims women are slaves of men. Muslim women can NOT contest in elections Sri lanka has power devolution. That is where muslims are majority Sri lanka is a muslims county. where christians are living (mostly the parliament) it is christian ideology that works. Good example to show reverse discrimination of buddhists and Sinhala politicians do not have any religion. See Ranil and UNPATRIOTIC party. Even Rosy Senanayake is talking about sidelining buddhism in Colombo as the mayoral candidate. she was the minister for women affairs. what she is silent in these things for years. Just collected the salary went overseas saying study tours but nothing has happened. Now In order to make colombo-christians happy blame buddhism.
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Karadara-Dias / January 25, 2018
Some extremists are attacking Female Muslim candidates for Local government elections. So much for Islam being a “tolerant” faith. Where are the extremists who write here attacking Sinhalese and HinduTamils all the time?
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Goraka / January 26, 2018
We have major issues facing Sri Lanka but we are worried about Muslim Divorce Act.
Who is stoking the flame?
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Daisy / January 26, 2018
Not a single woman on the panel. What a patriarchal sham this is.
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Park / January 26, 2018
There should be one law for all the citizens in the country. Law should not be based on Race, Religion, Cast or Creed. We are not primitive tribes we are all Sri Lankans first.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2018
The guy was sucking the Muslim -Sinhala government for 9 years. Now he is coming out with a script what the Sharia-Yahapalanaya government wants to hear during the LG election. The Shady Justice is purposefully giving prominence for the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama Jihadist, hoping that guy will use violence at end to bring in beyond Sharia, instead of reforming MMDA. (Already many Muslims scholars, Including the late Izeth Hussain, have described MMDA as beyond Sharia. They have said the injustice to women in the MMDA is not in Sharia. Even Hakeem like cutthroat politicians would not think to go below this Shady Justice. This is dirty game of Sharia-Yahapalanaya government, so no point in cursing the arrow, leaving the hunter alone.
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Ad / January 27, 2018
When we have nitwit politicians how can we expect decent legislation. Vote them out first and appoint some intelligent persons. Sunnath won’t make one a Muslim and virgins don’t exist after death. Wasting time over slavery.
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Honest / January 27, 2018
When Saudi Arabia does not allow women to cover their faces when they are in Mecca to perform Hajj (the holiest place for Muslims) why should Sri Lanka not block it as well?
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